Have you been Exposed to Asbestos in the Workplace?

Posted By Katz, Leidman, Freund & Herman || 1-Aug-2014

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),
more than one million people go to work in the U.S. at a location where
they are exposed to high levels of asbestos. So what is asbestos? Asbestos
is a naturally occurring and fibrous material that is resistant to heat
and flames. Because of this, asbestos has been utilized in various industries
and occupations for years. During this time, thousands of workers have
developed mesothelioma, which has been directly linked to asbestos.

Asbestos occurs naturally in the environment, causing everyone to breath in minuscule
amounts of it every day. Since these fibers can be inhaled, exposure to
significant levels of asbestos in the workplace can lead to coughing,
shortness of breath, and breathing problems. In fact, asbestos can be
so hazardous that is has been named a cancer-causing substance. Thus,
the most serious health risks stem from individuals who have been exposed
to asbestos for long periods of time—especially for older workers
who have spent years on the job before the proper precautions to avoid
asbestos became known.

A number of health issues can arise from exposure to asbestos including:

Mesothelioma

Lung Cancer

Asbestosis

Gastrointestinal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

It is the responsibility of the OSHA's and other workplace safety agencies
to regulate and monitor asbestos exposure on the job. If you believe you
have developed an illness that is directly related to asbestos, or you
are worried that you have been exposed to asbestos on the job, you may
be entitled to file a workers' compensation claim. At Katz, Leidman,
Freund & Herman, we have more than 50 years of collective experience
assisting workers with their workers' compensation claims.
Contact our firm today to see how our team of New York workers' comp lawyers may be able
to help you!